Family Support
Alcohol and drug abuse is a family problem, and recovery is a family process. Whether you suspect your child is using drugs, are living with an active user, or have a family member in treatment, we can help.
Families of Phoenix House clients
If your loved one has entered treatment at Phoenix House, you are now part of our treatment family. We want to make sure you have the information and resources you need.
Life after treatment
Find out what to expect after your loved one completes treatment.
Living with an active substance user
Living with a person who abuses alcohol or drugs is hard. Find out more about coping with the challenges. And if your mom or dad is the person using, you need to take care of yourself! Click here for some tips just for kids.
What is an intervention?
When people engage in self-destructive behavior, they often don’t realize that they need help. An intervention is when family members or friends confront a loved one about his or her addiction, express their concern, and offer suggestions about how and where to get help. Find out what you can do to help someone fight substance abuse.
Talking to your kids about drugs and alcohol
More than half of all American kids will try drugs at least once between first and 12th grade. Talking to your kids about the dangers of drug abuse can help steer them in the right direction. And if you find out your teen has in fact begun experimenting, don’t panic!
Phoenix House
If your loved one has entered treatment at Phoenix House, you are now part of our treatment family. Welcome! We are here to help you — as well as your loved one — by providing your whole family with the support and information you need.
Families are an important part of the treatment process at Phoenix House. For detailed information about what families can expect during treatment, download our Phoenix House family guides or read the Frequently Asked Questions below:
Frequently Asked Questions:
How long does treatment at Phoenix House last?
Can I call or visit my loved one?
Can I get updates on my loved one’s progress?
What are the rules of the program?
What personal items will my loved one need to bring to the program?
Can my loved one come home to visit?
What happens if my loved one wants to leave treatment?
Does treatment work?
How long does treatment at Phoenix House last?
Time in treatment is not fixed. Payment (i.e., insurance), court mandates, and the realities of recovery all influence the length of time a person will stay in treatment. It is also important to remember that the cumulative effects of substance abuse develop over time. Therefore, it takes time for most people to learn new ways to live as a person in recovery. And it certainly takes time for these new habits to become second nature.
As a family member, you can help by encouraging your loved one to stick with the program, even if he or she complains about how tough it is.
Can I call or visit my loved one?
When your loved one first enters treatment at Phoenix House, he or she will need some time to adjust. Contact with family members and significant others is limited during the initial weeks of treatment, but later becomes an essential part of the treatment process and planning for the future. Every Phoenix House facility has its own policy about phone calls, mail and packages — you can find out more when you speak with your loved one’s counselor.
Can I get updates on my loved one’s progress?
As a drug treatment program that receives money from the U.S. government, we are required to follow federal confidentiality laws. These confidentiality laws state that information about a person in treatment cannot be shared unless the person has given his or her permission. This means that our counselors and staff are not allowed to give you information about how your family member is doing unless he or she says it is OK by signing a special form called a confidentiality waiver. As a general rule, we ask everyone who comes into our programs who they want kept up to date on their progress.
What are the rules of the program?
When your loved one begins the program, he or she will be introduced to the daily routine and schedule of the program, including some hard and fast rules:
- We maintain a drug-free environment.
- The use of tobacco products is prohibited for residents and employees.
- The facility must be safe and free from violence or threats at all times.
- Sexual relations are prohibited.
- Residents must abide by a strict dress code.
- Access to and from the facility is regulated by the staff.
- Our facilities have additional rules that are specific to each program. These rules are set in place to ensure that residents are safe and live in an environment that focuses on recovery and well-being.
What personal items will my loved one need to bring to the program?
Residents are provided with almost everything they will need while at Phoenix House. Clients should only bring basic clothing and personal toiletries. You will be provided with a list during the admissions process, or as soon as your loved one arrives.
Can my loved one come home to visit?
In the earliest stages of treatment, clients remain on site at the residential facility 24 hours a day, seven days a week. As they demonstrate responsibility and improved behavior, day passes and home visits are allowed, as determined by staff. As your loved one gets closer to completion, family visits will become more frequent.
However, we want families to stay connected. We hope you will come visit your loved one at our facility. This will help you become a strong recovery partner, and also better understand what your loved one has been doing in treatment.
What happens if my loved one wants to leave treatment?
Phoenix House facilities are not locked. Residents are free to leave the program. However, those who do leave must go through a full case review if they decide they want to return. Research has demonstrated time and time again that the key to successful treatment is actually completing treatment. You can help by encouraging your loved one to stick with the program, even when he or she complains about how tough it is.
Does treatment work?
Nearly four decades of experience — and independent research — have shown that our methods work. Phoenix House residential treatment programs are highly effective at eliminating drug use, encouraging personal responsibility, re-uniting families, and teaching constructive values.
Long-term studies conducted at Phoenix House have found that three out of four adults who complete treatment remain drug free, crime-free and employed long after graduating from our programs.
Our treatment programs for teens have been endorsed by the federal government and their effectiveness documented by research of the RAND Corporation.